4 May 2016

Based inside a former Victorian power station in Hoxton Square, the centre is one of Europe’s principal circus skill educators. It was used as the training ground for all performers involved in the iconic opening ceremonies for the 2012 Paralympics and Olympics.

The building’s Courtyard was recently earmarked for restoration and renovation. However, with the area being in continual use, the changes had to be implemented within a strict timeframe.

After comparing a variety of paving products, Marshall K Paving Contractors asked Brett Landscaping to develop a flagging solution, to provide a starting point for the project.

Around 700 square metres of Brett Aura block paving was specified in Silver Fleck, to complement the aesthetic of the Victorian building.

Paving installation complications

As the area prohibits the use of articulated lorries to make deliveries, the installers had to work with restricted motorised equipment. This posed a challenge, as the project had to be turned around within two weeks, in time for a scheduled acrobatic symposium.

However, as Brett operates its own ‘Approved Installer Scheme’ – commonly known as BAI – it was able to recommend installation specialists with the right match of skills and infrastructure to carry out the development.

Three BAIs were recommended to help the team. Brett then arranged a special delivery of its materials to the Deben Buildbase in New Southgate; from this base, 18 tonne flatbed deliveries were made to the circus centre site, with crane off-load at the Hoxton Square end.

Thanks to Brett’s help in securing the circus centre installation and facilitating logistics, the installation team was able to complete the Courtyard throughout the course of a two week time period.